Dear Creative Friend,

What helps you arrive—fully present—to your expressive arts practice?
For many of us, the real challenge is learning how to slow down and tune in enough to discover what wants to emerge. In a world that asks us to move faster and produce more, what practices help us return to ourselves?

Long before I had language for it, I had a practice.

It started many years ago, when I (Kathleen) was just discovering art-making as a wellness practice. Instinctively, before picking up any art materials,  I would guide myself into a contemplative space of quiet listening—grounding in breath, body, and connection with the earth. From that place of presence, images would begin to emerge.

Over time, I realized this was more than a personal ritual; it had become one of the essential threads running through both my own practice and my work with others.  I found myself intuitively creating guided meditations for clients and workshop participants, as a doorway into image-making. Again and again, I have seen how guided meditation can help us soften into presence, awaken imagination, and open creative flow. It connects us with the natural world and supports us in trusting what emerges, rather than forcing an outcome.

What are you dreaming into being?

 A Touch Drawing™ image from around 2010

If you have worked with me, you have likely experienced this way of working. All of our complimentary creative resources at EAFI include guided meditations, and I warmly invite you to explore them. There may be one you haven’t yet tried—or one that is calling you to return. In This Moment is the core meditation. Lately, I have been returning to Meeting Unexpected Change. You can access all of them here, and engage with them whenever the time is right. If you feel moved, I also invite you to share your images in our Facebook group and allow yourself to be witnessed in your creative process.

First, we become quiet.
We settle into presence.
Then imagination begins to stir.
An image emerges—unexpected, alive.
As we give it our attention,  it reveals its message.

This month, we're offering three invitations into meditative expressive arts practice.

A Moment to Breathe: Tending Your Heart with Art, Meditation, and Nature is a gentle mini-retreat on June 14—a chance to slow down, listen inwardly, and nurture your heart through creative practice. We will be following the Art as a Healing Practice model, with guided meditation, nature-based experience, art-making, writing and sharing, with space and time to assimilate and renew. 

The first session of Imagining the Sacred, a 3-part series with Renee Bhatia and Tamara Knapp, is June 17. It is an invitation to explore longing as a sacred doorway into deeper connection with what calls us toward greater aliveness.

And there is another offering—one that feels especially meaningful to share.

Although guided meditation has been a foundational part of my work for many years, it is not something I formally studied or set out to master.  It has evolved intuitively as my own way of entering expressive arts inquiry. It is not guided visualization or journeying. It is an invitation into presence—through breath, body, imagination, and relationship with what wants to be known. Through my partnership with Tamara, the integration of her movement meditations have  deepened and expanded this work. Guided meditation is an integral part of most of our workshops and classes. Up until now, we have never taught it directly.  And now we have now created this course.

Guided Meditation in Expressive Arts Practice: Supporting Presence, Imagination, and Creative Flow is happening June 26. 

If this way of working speaks to you, I hope you will join us. 

NEW!!! Save the Date for the following events!

Take a look at what's coming up for the rest of 2026! Registration will open soon for these training workshops.

Featured Self-Study Course

Emerge

 All self-study courses contain detailed, yet approachable instructions, videos, and meditations facilitated by Kathleen & Tamara. The imagery and guidance from this work can assist you, whether dipping your toes into expressive arts or seeking a deeper connection. 

*All courses come with lifetime access so you can refer back to them at any time!

*No previous art experience is necessary!